Install Full Tablet UI for Google Nexus 7

The Google Nexus 7 device will be launched this month and it will come with the Google's latest Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, and most users have complained about the fact that the tablet will come with a phone UI rather than using a tablet user interface. But, some guys from XDA community managed to create some tools that you can use to install a full tablet UI on your Google Nexus 7 tablet device without damaging your device.

To apply and install the tablet UI for Google Nexus 7, you will need a rooted devices so that you will be able to work with the 'dpi' values as these are the ones that need the edit process. Make sure to read the entire tutorial and please note that there are 3 different methods that you can use to get tablet UI on your tablet device. We aren't sure why Google went with a phone UI for the GNex 7 but it was rumored that they wished for a simpler look. However, this can be changed easily by moving the top notification bar on your tablet's bottom bar and for this to work you need to edit the LCD density in 'build.prop' file. Remember that for this change to work you will need to be an advanced Android user.

Before moving to the tutorial guide you should read the guidelines below:

Create a complete backup of the contents currently stored on your tablet.

Create a backup of the original 'build.prop' file.

Install a root file explorer. You will find several tools in the tutorials below.

Google Nexus 7 tablet.

Charge the tablet's battery so that it won't power off while you're editing the 'dpi' values.

Apply the tutorial at your own risk and you shouldn't blame us in case you damage your device or something else goes wrong and your tablet gets bricked or in case applications and files are corrupted during the editing process.

Read all tutorials and apply the instructions that seem to be the easiest ones. Don't skip any of the steps I've listed and eventually you should manage to successfully install the 'tablet UI' on your tablet.

Download a root file explorer such as File Expert, MIUI File Explorer or a more popular one like ES File Explorer, which is the one we'll be using in this tutorial. if you selected ES File Explorer, then open its settings menu and enable 'mount rewritable and root acess' options.

Launch the root file explorer and open the tablet's 'system' folder.

Now you should look for a 'build.prop' file.

Open it in a text editor.

Scroll down until you find the following line: 'ro.sf.lcd_density'. Its original lcd density value should be set to 213.

Next, change the lcd density value to 175 or to any other lower value than 175.

Save the 'build.prop' file changes by pressing the menu key.

Restart the Google Nexus 7 tablet and when it boots into home screen it should feature the tablet UI mode.

If this method didn't work then you should try the instructions listed under the second one.

Scroll to the line called 'ro.sf.lcd_density' and change its value to '175' or to a lower one.

Press OK and exit ROM Toolbox Lite.

Now, reboot the Google Nexus 7 device and wait for it to load its new tablet UI looking home screen.

That's the last tutorial I had for you and now you should be able to easily change from Tablet UI to Phone UI and back on your Google Nexus 7 tablet. In case neither of the above tutorias helped you change the 'lcd density' of your tablet, then you should ask for our help in comments and tell us exactly what steps you took and where you got stuck while trying to install the tablet UI for Google Nexus 7 device.

Comments

cons · 5 years ago

UI won't change only resolution changes.

Reply

Maxime Laverdière · 5 years ago

I am on jelly bean 4.2.2 and i have tried all the tutorials, but the notification bar still doesn't merge with the bottom bar. HELP.